Local News

The GAR Cemetery will be dedicating a GAR Memorial constructed from the Conner Post members plaque that hung in the former Panther Valley Middle School on Saturday, May 26 at 10 a.m.. In addition, two memorial trees will be dedicated and the cemetery will also consecrate the newly seeded ground for burials to the east of the existing sections. The ceremony will take place near the Cemetery garage/office.

With Police Chief Kenneth Barnes still on indefinite medical leave, Mahoning Township supervisors voted 4-0, with Supervisor Franklin Ruch absent before the voting, to allow Officer in Charge Audie Mertz to review the backlog of police applicants and perform background checks on them in anticipation of the possibility of hiring some new part-time officers. However, supervisors were explicit in stating that they were not actively hiring anyone at the present time.

A Walnutport man is being sought for an assault incident which occurred Thursday morning in which he fled the scene, jumped into the Lehigh River, and was the subject of a manhunt for several hours.

State police at Lehighton identified the suspect as John Duncan Holzer, 39, of 4458 Mountain View Drive.

According to troopers about 8:30 a.m. Holzer allegedly physically assaulted his girlfriend, only identified by troopers as a 37-year-old, while driving from Weissport to East Penn Township along SR248.

Two men were sentenced to Carbon County prison terms on Tuesday on driving under the influence (DUI) charges, and both face big restitution bills for damages to individuals and property. The two appeared before Judge Joseph J. Matika.

Probation violations

John Moser, 28, of Lehighton, was sentenced to a total prison term of six months and 10 days to one day less 24 months on counts of DUI and simple assault; and also for probation violations.

Jim Thorpe, once a controversial track and field star whose World's Greatest Athlete medals from the 1912 Olympics were repatriated, and whose remains are under suit for repatriation to his ancestral home, was a legend whose life was first documented by author Robert W. Wheeler.

Robert "Bob" W. Wheeler and his son, Rob Wheeler, will be talking about Jim Thorpe in an illustrated presentation at the Mauch Chunk Museum this weekend. There will be two presentations: Saturday, May 26, from 7-9 p.m., and Sunday, May 27, from 2 -4 p.m.